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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fachad on April 26, 2005, at 2:13:01
I remember when Prozac first came out they said, "20 mg/day is the starting dose, and the optiomal dose for everyone. There is no need to start lower than 20mg, and there is never a need to raise the dose about 20mg. Ok, they were way off there.
Now Lunesta comes in 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg tablets. I am starting to think the 3mg dose is too low for some people, especially if they have taken Ambien and/or benzos for sleep in the past.
The problem is my insurance will not cover more than the prescribing limit dose (max 10 mg Ambien per day, max 3 mg Lunesta per day.)
Now that we have a few weeks experience with Lunesta, do people think it's just a poor drug or that the recommended dose is too low?
Posted by Bill LL on April 26, 2005, at 8:00:39
In reply to Is Lunesta ineffective or is 3mg dose too low, posted by fachad on April 26, 2005, at 2:13:01
I know someone who was on Ambien every night for a few years and then switched to 2 mg Lunesta almost 2 weeks ago.
The first 2 nights were just ok. But then, the Lunesta starting working very well. Actually even better since it lasts all night. BUT, said person is not happy with the metallic taste that Lunesta leaves in one's mouth.
I love Lunesta, but it's my first sleeping pill so I can't compare it. It does not make me tired, but it does allow me to fall asleep quickly.
I have been taking it about an hour or more before bedtime because it relaxes me. I get the metallic taste, but it is mild and does not bother me at all.
> I remember when Prozac first came out they said, "20 mg/day is the starting dose, and the optiomal dose for everyone. There is no need to start lower than 20mg, and there is never a need to raise the dose about 20mg. Ok, they were way off there.
>
> Now Lunesta comes in 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg tablets. I am starting to think the 3mg dose is too low for some people, especially if they have taken Ambien and/or benzos for sleep in the past.
>
> The problem is my insurance will not cover more than the prescribing limit dose (max 10 mg Ambien per day, max 3 mg Lunesta per day.)
>
> Now that we have a few weeks experience with Lunesta, do people think it's just a poor drug or that the recommended dose is too low?
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2005, at 19:15:54
In reply to Re: Is Lunesta ineffective or is 3mg dose too low, posted by Bill LL on April 26, 2005, at 8:00:39
That's a good question. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by fachad on April 29, 2005, at 1:23:08
In reply to Re: Is Lunesta ineffective or is 3mg dose too low » Bill LL, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2005, at 19:15:54
Tonight will be my 10th night of Lunesta. I do think it is working now better than it was for the first few days.
Now I can "feel" it. It makes me sort of relaxed - drowsy. Also I have had a tremendous increase in dreaming.
I am still taking lorazepam 1-2mg with the Lunesta and that helps quite a bit. I'd like to taper off the lorazapem, but I'm not sure if Lunesta will work alone, at least at the 3mg dose. I hope the company comes out with a 4mg or 5mg pill.
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2005, at 18:56:34
In reply to 10th Night of Lunesta - works better with time, posted by fachad on April 29, 2005, at 1:23:08
Did you get an "official" drug info sheet from the company with your lunesta? It says that lorazepam is okay to take with lunesta. It also was rather interesting in that there were more side effects at 2mg than at 3mg. But where taste was concerned that jumped up at 3mg. They compare it to a benzo as it affects GABA, but it's not supposed to be addictive. My pdoc gave me two wouchers for the 3mg tabs. And a Rx for 4 tabs. The voucher says that you can only have one voucher with an attached prescription. So what good will two pills do? Or even if I buy 4? Since she charges $35 to call for a Rx, maybe that's what she wants me to do. But it is sounding good to me. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by vivi on April 30, 2005, at 0:57:36
In reply to 10th Night of Lunesta - works better with time, posted by fachad on April 29, 2005, at 1:23:08
> Tonight will be my 10th night of Lunesta. I do think it is working now better than it was for the first few days.
>
> Now I can "feel" it. It makes me sort of relaxed - drowsy. Also I have had a tremendous increase in dreaming.
>
> I am still taking lorazepam 1-2mg with the Lunesta and that helps quite a bit. I'd like to taper off the lorazapem, but I'm not sure if Lunesta will work alone, at least at the 3mg dose. I hope the company comes out with a 4mg or 5mg pill.I have been taking 3mg of Lunesta for a week and it's working really well. I liked Ambien, but this keeps me asleep longer. I do get the Benzo effect, but it's different than Ambien. I also seem to be dreaming more. I take 15mg to 30 mg of Dex a day so it really helps me sleep.
Vivi
This is the end of the thread.
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